HobbyKing ST-330 Easy Fly Power Pod taken with the Sony Webbie Helmet Cam

AP and FPV work is better without a propeller in front of the camera. So will a power pod work with the HobbyKing / ST-330 Easy Fly 2.0M glider? Some pilots have used the MPX EasyGlider with power pods with mixed success. How about the HK/ST-330 Easy Fly (EasyGlider clone) ?

To test, the Great Planes Power Pod was moded as a pusher for the Easy Fly similar to the EasyStar and CloudsFly. The pod was mounted aft of the CG with the propeller lined up with the trailing edge of the wing. An aluminum plate was placed inside the fuselage to strengthen the mount and the pod was spring mounted to absorb any shock and also allow adjusting the angle of the pod vs the fuselage (if needed). Strips of EPP foam was used beneath the pod to mold the pod's flat bottom to the curved fuse. White electrical tape and two servo wood screws were used to hold the pod case together.

The test flight was better than expected. Some pilots using tractor power pods have reported a marked tendency to nose down on launch which needed to be corrected by pointing the pod/propeller upwards. The pusher power pod did not show that and behaved liked the EasyStar and CloudsFly (even sounded like one). The stock motor and ESC was not removed and was helpful in keeping the CG correct.

The Sony Webbie Helmet Cam performed beautifully. The HD quality at 720p (1080p is possible) is definitely a lot better than my previous recordings. Importantly, the camera is not visible outside which is a nice thing to consider.

So .... next step is to design a camera mount for the Easy Fly for some HD aerial photography/video work .... stay tuned and fly safe!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• HobbyKing
• ST-330
• EasyFly
• Sony
• Webbie
• Helmet
• Cam
• TP2409_12A
• Towerpro
• 40A
• ESC
• Great
• Planes
• Power
• Pod

[ledburnerss]

Hello again, your selection of music is so dreamy like gliders. Do you still feel mounting the motor back on a power pod is needed? I had my Sky Hawk fly so well in thermals that it disappeared among live flying hawks. I looked for it for 3 days and it was returned to me by a fisherman from a distant lake. It evidently fell from a tree into a creek and washed down to the lake or went up and up and then traveled opposite the prevaling wind. Drowned motor still runs. I might do a reborn video :-)

[tsisapik]

@ledburnerss Thanks for dropping by... The power pod mod was done so I can take aerial photos and videos with an unobstructed view. Interesting story about your SkyHawk.... look forward to the reborn videos!

[boywaimea]

@tsisapik i'm going to finish it today or tonight. it shouldn't be long. i use to have a small business, so it took longer. i only have w2s and a few charity reports. i've got the minimoa plane too i need to work on. actually i have enough planes. ordered the miniswift since i crashed my updated one. something is wrong with the receiver. anyway. keep in touch and taxes first. get my mind off planes a bit. later

[tsisapik]

@boywaimea Good luck on your build. Do the taxes first and reward yourself with the satisfaction of completing the mods and flying a great model (saw the vids - if didn't have the MPX EG and ST 330, this would be the next !) Do the returns early - if you expect a tax refund, file early - or you're leaving money on the table. If you need to pay more taxes, meet the due date so you "enjoy" you money as long as possible.... Good luck again!

[boywaimea]

@tsisapik going to get that 15 minute epoxy tomorrow. it was an imbalance prop i think that caused the vibration. so much to learn and do. i'm going to fly the pheonix this week. gotta do my dam taxes first. seen the welders in ace. going to get some of that too. in addition to planes, you won't believe how much glue and all kinds of crap i have to make these things fly. later and thanks for the tips

[tsisapik]

@boywaimea Go with 15 minute epoxy much better than gorilla for this use and the bind is stronger plus you can realign just in case but not "too much" or you add weight. The loud noise could = imbalance. Metal is stronger but won't help the forward CG issue. I use hot glue and Welders HD glue a lot. A dollar store had Welders HD for $1.5@ I walked out of there with all they had on display ... plus a bunch or Polaroid sunglasses which are great for flying (I don't get blinded by the sun!)

[boywaimea]

@tsisapik i'll use either plywood or i have a metal mount also. but i'll use the 5 minute epoxy. it was loud. good thing no one was around. you don't have to put too much epoxy do you? also, could i use gorilla glue?

[tsisapik]

@boywaimea If you beef up the mount (plywood and exoxy), it should hold - just make sure your propeller set up is balanced or the vibration will tear the mount (again) and make a wonderfully loud racket ....

[boywaimea]

@tsisapik had the motor mounted on the pheonix 2000 and was going to launch it when the motor pulled hard and sort of ripped part of the mount. i was using a 10x7F prop. this motor has some power! only problem is it's a little heavy. must move the cg back. but powerful motor.

[tsisapik]

@boywaimea Hmmm, the KD A22 had some very nice reviews but if I look at the performance, the 9x5 and 10x5 were pretty decent pulls at 15/18 C all with a 3S. The moment a 11x5 was used, pull went up but also did the Amps draw and the heat (18 to 32). Looks like the optimal would be 10x5 but if you really do not need all that power, 9x5. The fastest way to get a motor hot is to "overprop" and over voltage. The ST-330, uses a 9" HDD which so far works okay.